Home » NECO Syllabus » Hi there! Are you one of those who will be writing Government in the upcoming exams? Then this article is for you. Why stress yourself by reading your entire textbook? You’re not even sure all the topics will come out in the exams.
This NECO Government Syllabus covers all you need to know about Government. The true meaning of Government, its core concept, principles, institutions and processes. This syllabus also contains topics on how things work, from the basics of laws to the complex institution that keeps a nation running.
Study smart today and score high in your upcoming exams when you download this official NECO syllabus for Government. With this syllabus, you see the full list of topics for the exam as well as the recommended textbooks to make reading easier for you.
Apart from acing your exam with the help of this syllabus, you would also be empowered on how to be an informed citizen, the kind who doesn’t just know about the government but knows how to get involved.
Let’s break down the marking guide and sections
Paper 1
In Paper 1, you will be given fifty multiple-choice questions that cover the entire syllabus. Don’t worry it won’t be difficult if you’ve judiciously covered the syllabus. You will have 1 hour to answer all the questions, and each correct answer earns you 0.8 marks. That’s a total of 40 marks up for grabs.
Paper 2
Paper 2 is an essay-type test. This one’s a bit longer, you will have 2 hours to answer two sections:
Section A: Elements of Government
Here, you’ll find five questions waiting for you. But don’t stress, you only need to answer two of them. Pick the ones you feel most confident about and go right in. Each question carries 12 marks.
Section B: Political and Constitutional Developments in West Africa and International Relations
The questions in this section are about the political and constitutional landscape in West Africa and beyond. You will have sets of five questions for each member country, and you’ll pick one set based on your exam location. From there, choose two questions to answer, each question is worth 15 marks. That’s 60 marks in total up for grabs in this section.
| Government | |
| TOPICS | OBJECTIVES |
| MEANING AND SCOPE OF THE SUBJECT MATTER – GOVERNMENT | 1.1 Government as an institution of the state Definition of state,features, structure and functions. 1.2 Government as a process or art or governing. 1.3 Government as an academic field of study – reasons for studying government |
| BASIC CONCEPTS AND PRINCIPLES OF GOVERNMENT | 2.1 Basic concepts – State, Society, *Nation, Power, Authority,Legitimacy, Sovereignty, Democracy, Political Culture and Socialization, Communalism, Feudalism and oligarchy, *Liberalism, Socialism, Communism, Capitalism, Fascism, Aristocracy, Totalitarianism. Meaning and features 2.2 Basic principles – Rule of Law, Fundamental Human Rights, Separation of Powers/Checks and Balances, Constitutionalism, Political participation, Representative Government, Centralization and Decentralization – (Delegated Legislation, Devolution and Decentralization) |
| CONSTITUTIONS | 3.1 Definition and Sources 3.2 Functions 3.3 Types and Features, (Written and Unwritten, Rigid and Flexible) |
| ORGANS OF GOVERNMENT | The Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary – Judicial Independence. (Types, Structure, Composition/membership; Functions; powers and limitations). |
| STATE STRUCTURE AND CHARACTERISTICS OF GOVERNMENT | 5.1 Types – Unitary, Federal, Confederal, Presidential or Non-parliamentary, Parliamentary or Cabinet, Monarchical and Republican. Meaning, types, features, merits and demerits. |
| CITIZENSHIP | Meaning, mode of acquisition, rights, duties and obligations of individuals in the state. Means of safeguarding rights of citizens. |
| POLITICAL PARTIES AND PARTY SYSTEMS | 7.1 Political Parties – definition, organization/structure, and functions 7.2 Party Systems – definition, types, merits and demerits |
| PRESSURE GROUPS, PUBLIC OPINION AND MASS MEDIA | 8.1 Pressure Groups – definition, types, mode of operation and functions 8.2 Public opinion – definition, formation, Measurement and importance 8.3 Mass Media – definition, roles and impact |
| THE ELECTORAL SYSTEMS, PROCESSES AND ELECTORAL MANAGEMENT BODY | 9.1 Electoral Systems and Processes (i) Election- Meaning and purpose of elections (ii) Franchise – meaning, and limitations (iii) Types, advantages and disadvantages of Electoral Systems 9.2 Electoral Management Body – definition, function, problems/constraints |
| PUBLIC/CIVIL SERVICE ADMINISTRATION | 10.1 Public/Civil Service – Meaning, Structure, Characteristics and Functions 10.2 Public/Civil Service Commission –meaning and Functions 10.3 Public Corporations – definition, purposes, functions, control, challenges, need for commercialization and privatization 10.4 Local Governments – Meaning, structure, Purposes, Functions, Sources of revenue, control and problems |
| PRE-COLONIAL POLITICAL SYSTEM OF CANDIDATES’ RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES | The Structural Organization of the following: 11.1 Nigeria – Hausa/Fulani, the Yoruba and the Igbo 11.2 Ghana – The Akan and the Talensi 11.3 Sierra Leone – The Mende and Temme 11.4 The Gambia – The Wolof, Mandingo and Jola 11.5 Liberia – The Vai and the Kru |
| COLONIAL ADMINISTRATION | 12.1 The Policy and Structure of the British Colonial Administration – Crown Colony, Protectorate and Indirect Rule 12.2 The Policy of French Colonial Administration – Assimilation and Association (Loi Cadre) 12.3 Impact, Advantages and disadvantages of Colonial Rule |
| NATIONALISM IN CANDIDATES’ RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES | 13.1 Nationalism: Meaning, factors and effects 13.2 Key Nationalist leaders/movements and their contributions |
| CONSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENTS IN CANDIDATES’ RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES | 14.1 Pre-Independence Constitutions – (a) Nigeria (features) (b) Ghana (features, merits and demerits) (c) Sierra Leone (features, merits and demerits) (d) The Gambia (features, merits and demerits) 14.2 Post-Independence Constitutions – Features (a) Nigeria (b) Ghana (c) Sierra Leone (d) The Gambia (e) Liberia |
| DEVELOPMENT OF MAJOR POLITICAL PARTIES IN THE CANDIDATES’ RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES | – Nigeria – Sierra Leone – The Gambia – Liberia Formation Objectives, Sources of Finance, Achievements and Failures |
| MILITARY RULE IN THE CANDIDATES’ RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES | – Nigeria – Ghana; – Sierra Leone – The Gambia – Liberia Causes, effects and various military regimes |
| FEDERAL/UNITARY SYSTEMS OF GOVERNMENT IN WEST AFRICA | – Nigeria – Sierra Leone – The Gambia – Liberia Origin, Factors, Structure, Features and Problems |
| FOREIGN POLICIES OF THE CANDIDATES’ RESPECTIVE COUNTRIES | – Nigeria – Ghana – Sierra Leone – The Gambia – Liberia Definitions, Factors, objectives, advantages and disadvantages |
| INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS | The United Nations Organizations (UNO), The Commonwealth of Nations, African Union (AU) – NEPAD, The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Origin, aims/objectives, achievements and problems. |
The syllabus includes topics such as political systems, the structure of government, democracy, human rights, and international organizations.
No, the NECO Government exam is theoretical and focuses on understanding concepts and their applications.
You can use the recommended textbooks above, and past questions to prepare effectively.
Read widely about different political systems, review class notes, and engage in discussions with your peers about current events and governance.
Yes, the exam includes essay questions that require you to explain and analyze government concepts in detail.
Create a study schedule, read the syllabus provided, practice past questions, and join study groups for discussions.
Some mistakes you should avoid in your Government exam include: not reading instructions, not cross-checking before submitting, failing to link theory to real-world examples, poor time management, etc
